New Race Car
10-28-2013, 11:41 PM
#1
V8 Miata Enthusiast
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New Race Car
Hey. Been reading this board for a few months. Picking up a lot of new information.
I'v been a hot rodder for a few decades. Started with a 1970 Torino Cobra in 1976. It's been down hill ever since.
About 11 years ago, I built this car
Street cruising:
Race Track: (took this one yesterday)
Dyno Sheet from a few months ago:
Engine bay, street trim:
Since that picture was taken, I dumped the distributor for a computer controlled coil pack.
When I built the car, I had never raced before, and had no intention of racing at all. Then I went to an open track day near my home town. Uh, Oh. I'v been hooked ever since.
I'v been beating it up on the race track for the last 8 years. I race NASA Rocky Mountain, TTR/TTU - the unlimited Time Trials class. It's been a boat load of fun, and the car has performed very well. We have been the regional champions for the last 4 years. I'm also an HPDE driving instructor.
The car has been under a constant state of development these last 11 years. I don't think it will ever be "done". Every year, I come up with some mod that will make it just a little bit faster.
But, the car is getting a bit long in the tooth. Seems like I have to fix something every time I go out. We're to the point where we need to strip it down and rebuild it, or build something new.
The Cobra has been a great car, and I won't sell it. It's been my dream car since I was 10 years old. But, it's about as fast as it's going to get, and still be a street car. So we decided to look around for something new. Then we can retire the Cobra to street duty only.
The Factory Five 818 looks pretty good. Nice body, excellent frame, reasonable price. But the cost of building a racing Subaru engine is just ridiculous. Repairs would eat me out of house and home. I needed something reliable, and (relatively) inexpensive.
It has to be faster than the Cobra, so that means a top speed of 150mph+. And it has to handle better, with improved aerodynamics. I'm certainly not a rich man, so it has to be affordable.
I came across this kit in Kit Car Builder Magazine: MEV Exocet | Exomotive – US Dealer of Exocars & Kit Cars
I was intrigued. The suspension is outstanding, using all Miata components. But, the Miata engine and transmission can be expensive to race in non-spec form. I want at least 400hp, with room for lots more, without spending cubic dollars.
The last paragraph of the article stated, "And, of course, there's room for an LS engine." Eureka! I found my new race car.
I'v been working with Keith Tanner at FM, and he's pointing me in the right direction with parts selection. Where to save and where to spend money needs an expert. FM is building their own Exocet. It's the bright yellow frame on their web site. FM is the west coast dealer for Exocet, and they're only a few miles from my home.
This car will be street legal (barely), but it's going to be a purpose built track car. If it doesn't make the car go faster, it doesn't go on. I'll start with a used LS2/3 and T56. Freshen that up with a new cam, and should be able to hit 400 reliable hp without any trouble at all. Some used but updated suspension components, and the best spring/shock/bar/tire package that money can buy.
My previous racing experience will help some. But this is a different animal, and the technologies and knowledge don't always cross over. Especially comparing a Windsor Ford to an LS Chevy.
This is just going to be a boat load of fun. Our season ended yesterday, so I'm looking forward to getting in to this one. I expect it will take me a year to get the car built. Parts flow depends on cash flow. In the mean time, I'll be reading here, and other Miata boards looking for tid-bits of information.
I'v been a hot rodder for a few decades. Started with a 1970 Torino Cobra in 1976. It's been down hill ever since.
About 11 years ago, I built this car
Street cruising:
Race Track: (took this one yesterday)
Dyno Sheet from a few months ago:
Engine bay, street trim:
Since that picture was taken, I dumped the distributor for a computer controlled coil pack.
When I built the car, I had never raced before, and had no intention of racing at all. Then I went to an open track day near my home town. Uh, Oh. I'v been hooked ever since.
I'v been beating it up on the race track for the last 8 years. I race NASA Rocky Mountain, TTR/TTU - the unlimited Time Trials class. It's been a boat load of fun, and the car has performed very well. We have been the regional champions for the last 4 years. I'm also an HPDE driving instructor.
The car has been under a constant state of development these last 11 years. I don't think it will ever be "done". Every year, I come up with some mod that will make it just a little bit faster.
But, the car is getting a bit long in the tooth. Seems like I have to fix something every time I go out. We're to the point where we need to strip it down and rebuild it, or build something new.
The Cobra has been a great car, and I won't sell it. It's been my dream car since I was 10 years old. But, it's about as fast as it's going to get, and still be a street car. So we decided to look around for something new. Then we can retire the Cobra to street duty only.
The Factory Five 818 looks pretty good. Nice body, excellent frame, reasonable price. But the cost of building a racing Subaru engine is just ridiculous. Repairs would eat me out of house and home. I needed something reliable, and (relatively) inexpensive.
It has to be faster than the Cobra, so that means a top speed of 150mph+. And it has to handle better, with improved aerodynamics. I'm certainly not a rich man, so it has to be affordable.
I came across this kit in Kit Car Builder Magazine: MEV Exocet | Exomotive – US Dealer of Exocars & Kit Cars
I was intrigued. The suspension is outstanding, using all Miata components. But, the Miata engine and transmission can be expensive to race in non-spec form. I want at least 400hp, with room for lots more, without spending cubic dollars.
The last paragraph of the article stated, "And, of course, there's room for an LS engine." Eureka! I found my new race car.
I'v been working with Keith Tanner at FM, and he's pointing me in the right direction with parts selection. Where to save and where to spend money needs an expert. FM is building their own Exocet. It's the bright yellow frame on their web site. FM is the west coast dealer for Exocet, and they're only a few miles from my home.
This car will be street legal (barely), but it's going to be a purpose built track car. If it doesn't make the car go faster, it doesn't go on. I'll start with a used LS2/3 and T56. Freshen that up with a new cam, and should be able to hit 400 reliable hp without any trouble at all. Some used but updated suspension components, and the best spring/shock/bar/tire package that money can buy.
My previous racing experience will help some. But this is a different animal, and the technologies and knowledge don't always cross over. Especially comparing a Windsor Ford to an LS Chevy.
This is just going to be a boat load of fun. Our season ended yesterday, so I'm looking forward to getting in to this one. I expect it will take me a year to get the car built. Parts flow depends on cash flow. In the mean time, I'll be reading here, and other Miata boards looking for tid-bits of information.
Last edited by .boB; 10-28-2013 at 11:43 PM.
10-29-2013, 09:19 AM
#4
Jim Stainer
That is epic Bob!! 3 thoughts come to mind. 1, I see the camera so is there track videos posted anywhere? 2, I really REALLY hope you do a good build thread. And 3 I need to find a way to get to FMs summer camp to meet you!
10-29-2013, 12:42 PM
#5
V8 Miata Enthusiast
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Lets see. Bill S., MrMustang. Where have I come across that before? 
Thanx. I took some track videos last week end. For some reason I wasn't able to upload them or e-mail them anywhere. I'll haave to play around with that again this week and see what I can do.
I have never done a build thread, per say. But as I make progress - and have lots of questions - I'll be posting pictures and stuff. I'v never worked with a Miata or an LS engine before. "I'v always wanted an excuse to buy me some of them Metric tools."
Keith and I were talking about Summer Camp 2014. I don't expect to have the Exocet drivable by then. But, I might show up anyway to pick up new information.
I have never done a build thread, per say. But as I make progress - and have lots of questions - I'll be posting pictures and stuff. I'v never worked with a Miata or an LS engine before. "I'v always wanted an excuse to buy me some of them Metric tools."
Keith and I were talking about Summer Camp 2014. I don't expect to have the Exocet drivable by then. But, I might show up anyway to pick up new information.
10-29-2013, 11:38 PM
#6
V8 Miata Enthusiast
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After some messing around, I think I figured out how to get the videos posted to You-Tube. Try this link and see how it works. This is one lap around High Plains Raceway, Byers, CO, on 10/26/13.
The small race car with the big wing is a Radical. The silver car is a Honda S2000. The red car is a Porsche with an LS engine.
The small race car with the big wing is a Radical. The silver car is a Honda S2000. The red car is a Porsche with an LS engine.
Last edited by .boB; 10-29-2013 at 11:43 PM.
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